Bernadette's Blog: Celebrating 15 Years of Inclusion Through the Arts

For 15 years, Community Access Unlimited's Community Players have taken the stage and shown Plainfield and surrounding communities what true inclusion looks like. The program has become a beacon for arts-centered community building, proving that when people are given the opportunity to express themselves, share their talents, and be part of something bigger, transformation happens.

The Community Players are more than just a performance group. They are a gathering place where people discover their own capabilities, build friendships, gain confidence, and learn new skills. For many participants, the stage becomes a space where they are truly seen, heard, and valued for who they are.

"At Community Access Unlimited, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to express themselves, share their talents, and be part of something bigger than themselves," said Bernadette Griswold of CAU. "For the past 15 years, the CAU Community Players have done exactly that. Each year, our performers take the stage to entertain audiences, and beautifully demonstrate what true inclusion looks like."

The Power of Arts in Community

The arts have a unique ability to bring people together. They create opportunities for self-expression, connection, and personal growth. For many Community Players members, participating in performances means discovering talents they didn't know they had, building relationships with fellow performers, and experiencing the affirmation that comes from being valued and celebrated.

When people perform—when they take risks, try new things, and share themselves with others—something shifts. Confidence grows. Isolation breaks. Community deepens.

Union County Life celebrates organizations like Community Access Unlimited that understand that arts and cultural expression are not luxuries—they are essential to human dignity and community wellbeing.

The Community Players have spent 15 years creating that space where differences are celebrated, where everyone has a role to play, and where the stage becomes a place of genuine belonging.

FAQ

Q: What is the CAU Community Players?
A: The CAU Community Players is Community Access Unlimited's arts program that provides performance and self-expression opportunities for participants. For 15 years, the program has demonstrated how arts and inclusion build community, confidence, and belonging.

Q: Who participates in the Community Players?
A: The Community Players welcome people who want to express themselves through performance, build skills, and be part of an inclusive arts community. The program is designed with inclusion at its center.

Q: What do participants gain from the Community Players?
A: Participants gain confidence, build friendships, learn new skills, discover their own talents, and experience being valued and celebrated for who they are. The program creates a space where differences are celebrated and everyone has a role to play.

Q: How long has the Community Players program existed?
A: The CAU Community Players have been operating for 15 years, creating inclusive arts performance opportunities throughout Plainfield and surrounding communities.

Q: What performances do the Community Players produce?
A: The program includes annual performances that showcase participant talents and entertain audiences. Specific production titles and performance schedules should be confirmed with Community Access Unlimited.

Q: How can I participate in the Community Players or attend a performance?
A: Residents interested in participating or attending Community Players performances should contact Community Access Unlimited directly for information about registration, performance dates, and accessibility details.

Q: What is Community Access Unlimited?
A: Community Access Unlimited is an organization based in Plainfield committed to community building, inclusion, and access. The Community Players program is one of their major community initiatives.

Q: Where can I find more information about CAU and the Community Players?
A: Contact Community Access Unlimited directly for information about programs, performances, participation opportunities, and how to get involved.